August 27, 2025 (WASHINGTON) –The Modernizing Foreign Assistance Network (MFAN) is pleased to announce that Mathematica has joined as the newest MFAN coalition member. MFAN is also fortunate to have several experts and leaders in aid effectiveness assuming leadership roles: Colin Christensen is moving into a role as MFAN’s new Co-Chair, and Meghan Armistead and EricJohnson are now Co-Chairs of MFAN’s Policy Working Group.
Mathematica is a mission-driven organization that provides government agencies, foundations, and global institutions with data-driven insight to make programs and policies more effective, efficient, and impactful. Their policy experts, data scientists, methodologists, and technologists work together to design, test, and scale solutions that drive better outcomes. “Mathematica is proud to join MFAN in advancing evidence-based decision making that enhances the impact and accountability of U.S. foreign assistance. Our mission aligns closely with MFAN’s vision for more effective global development, and together, we can deliver evidence and insights that improve public well-being worldwide,”said Jeff Bernson, Senior Vice President and General Manager of MathematicaGlobal.
Colin Christensen, Global Policy Director of the One Acre Fund, recently stepped into a new role as one of three MFAN Co-Chairs, working with MFAN leadership to provide strategic guidance and support for the organization at this critical time forU.S. international assistance. "U.S. foreign assistance is currently facing its biggest disruption in a generation, and MFAN is playing a central role in shaping what its new strategic direction will look like.” said Christensen. “We must secure a new bipartisan consensus to rebuild an aid architecture that is cost effective and impactful, reinforces American national security and shared interests with allies, and represents the best of America's values.”
Christensen has dedicated his career to advancing innovative, results-driven approaches in international development. Since joining One Acre Fund in 2015, he has held leadership roles that strengthen the organization’s engagement with policymakers and donors. He began by heading the Government Relations department in Kigali, and in 2019 stepped into the role of Global Policy Director, where he works to elevate the priorities of Africa’s smallholder farmers in global policy and funding arenas. Prior to his time at One Acre Fund, Colin led government relations for Bridge International Academies, an organization operating affordable private schools across Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, and Liberia. He also served as Country Director for Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) in Kenya, guiding research and policy efforts to address poverty at scale. Colin earned a master’s degree in international development from Tufts University and a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Texas at Austin.
“We’re delighted to welcome Mathematica to MFAN and to see Colin, Meghan, and Eric step into leadership roles,” said Tod Preston, MFAN’s Executive Director. “Together, they bring a wealth of experience, deep policy insight, and a spirit of collaboration that will help MFAN to advance smarter, more effective U.S. foreign assistance. Their leadership reflects the breadth and depth of expertise across MFAN and reinforces our mission at a moment of both challenge and opportunity for America’s role in the world.”
A long-time MFAN partner and representative of coalition member CRS, Meghan Armistead brings deep expertise on local leadership, localization, civil society, and aid reform to her new role as MFAN Working Group Co-Chair. Prior to her current role on CRS’ Policy team, she served as Senior Technical Advisor in the Program Quality and Impact team, working with partner agencies around the world and supporting local leadership. Over the past 20 years, Armistead has worked with community, faith-based, and national organizations overseas to build partnerships, strengthen organizational capacities, and to help scale civil society leadership. A former NGO Development Volunteer with the Peace Corps in Haiti and global program quality expert at Lutheran World Relief, Armistead holds a BA in History from Tufts University and an MA in International Development and Economics from the Johns Hopkins School for Advanced International Studies (SAIS).
Serving alongside Armistead as a Working Group Co-Chair (along with Justin Fugle, Head of Policy for Plan International USA), Eric Johnson brings to MFAN his experience in technical strategy and solutions advancement as Senior Director for Technical Strategy in International Development at RTI International. Johnson works across RTI’s technical practices to identify new technical frontiers and direct research and development efforts. Johnson previously led USAID investments in higher education and workforce development inUSAID’s Office of Education, among other USAID postings. With 25 years of experience bridging the worlds of academia, policy, and practice, Johnson will help guide and operationalize MFAN policy during his term as Working Group Co-Chair.
MFAN is a bipartisan reform coalition composed of international development and foreign policy practitioners, policy advocates, and experts from the U.S. and Global South. It promotes more effective and accountable U.S. foreign assistance that advances American interests, delivering greater results for people in need and U.S. taxpayers.
